Kuwait authorities bust network selling worker recruitment licenses

The General Department of Residence Affairs Investigations has uncovered and dismantled a criminal network involved in selling company licenses for worker recruitment in exchange for money.

During investigation it was found that the accused abused 28 company licenses to recruit 382 workers, charging 800 to 1,000 dinars per work permit. Additional bribes of 200 to 250 dinars were paid to Public Authority for Manpower employees to alter need assessments and update records in the system.

The ministry has identified the following six main suspects:

M.A., the owner and manager of multiple companies, recruited workers for his businesses and paid bribes to public sector employees via a broker.

Y.L., an Egyptian, acted as company manager and representative, facilitating worker recruitment and residency permits in exchange for money.

N.A., Egyptian, worked as a typist coordinating with brokers to pay bribes and manipulate need assessments.

M., an Egyptian/Palestinian intermediary, transferred bribe payments and data between companies and public sector employees, earning commissions.

T.D., a Kuwaiti citizen and supervisor in the Needs Assessment Department in the Capital Governorate, inflated need estimates in exchange for bribes and shared his system password to mislead authorities.

A.R., acting director of the Hawalli Labor Department, used T.D.’s password to complete illicit transactions for a financial commission.

All six individuals have been handed over to the relevant authorities, and Case No. 45/2025 (Residency Investigations Felonies) has been filed, with charges encompassing bribery, forgery, and profiting from illegal residency.

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